Business Crime (Shoplifting)

Agreed on 31 March 2026. Updated on 30 April 2026

Retail theft remains a significant issue across the country, with businesses—from small independent shops to large national retailers—losing hundreds to thousands of pounds each week.

Despite preventative measures such as employing security staff and installing CCTV systems, these efforts are often insufficient to deter the most prolific offenders. The local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) is actively reviewing reports to identify and target repeat offenders. However, we are aware that many incidents go unreported, often due to varying policies and procedures across businesses.

We strongly encourage all retailers to report every instance of shoplifting and to support investigations by providing CCTV footage and witness statements. Timely and consistent reporting is vital in helping us build strong cases and take effective action.

In addition to pursuing criminal investigations, the NPT is working closely with the Anti-Social Behaviour Team to implement alternative interventions aimed at disrupting persistent offending. One such measure currently being used is the issuance of Community Protection Warnings (CPWs), which form part of a broader strategy to address repeat offending and protect local businesses.

Actions

30 April 2026

On 7th April 2026 the team conducted an operation in conjunction with the neighbourhood tasking team. This resulted in three of the suspects being arrested and charged with several thefts in Portishead. Two were given bail conditions not to enter Portishead and the team have not sighted them in the town since.

On 29th April 2026 two further arrests were made of two individuals who were responsible for 12 offences. They were arrested, charged and remanded to appear at court on 30th April 2026.

One of these individuals was also convicted of several thefts that occurred earlier in the year and was sentenced to 30 weeks in prison. He was arrested for a warrant in relation to this on 29th April 2026 so will be formally sentenced in court on 30th April.
31 March 2026

The team are working closely with the local council to arrange a forum with local businesses in Portishead. This is an opportunity for businesses to voice their concerns and for the team to provide an update about what actions we’re taking to tackle the problem.
12 March 2026

We are continuously engaging with our retail businesses in Portishead. In particular this month we have been made aware of anti-social behaviour and thefts linked to a group of young people. They have been identified and have been spoken to and their parents have been notified. They have also been issued with Stage 1 ASB letters.

We continue to take positive action against shoplifters. The team identified and arrested a prolific shoplifter who was charged and remanded. As a result of the teams hard work they are now banned from the majority of retail premises in Portishead.
8 January 2026

Retail crime continues to be taken seriously and positive action will be taken when reports are received.

The most prolific shoplifter in Portishead was arrested and charged by the Neighbourhood Tasking Team prior to Christmas and, at court, his suspended sentence was activated meaning he received a custodial sentence for his offences and he is currently in prison.
15 October 2025

Thanks to the assistance of the Neighbourhood Tasking Team three of the most prolific shoplifters were arrested for over a dozen offences. All three were charged with these offences and remanded to court. At court one received a suspended prison sentence.

Two of the individuals were issued with Community Protection Notices with various conditions which, if breached, could result in arrest, fines and further use of anti social behaviour legislation.
21 September 2025

The team, alongside the Neighbourhood Tasking Team, has been working closely with local premises to target prolific shop theft offenders. As a result of these efforts, one individual has recently been convicted of seven shop theft offences.

We continue to encourage businesses to report all instances of shop theft. Timely reporting enables us to secure convictions and implement anti-social behaviour interventions against repeat offenders, helping to prevent further offences. In addition to reporting incidents, we ask businesses to support our investigations by providing statements and CCTV footage when reporting.

If your business would like to discuss the contents of the leaflet or seek further advice, please don’t hesitate to contact the team using the details provided in the contact section of this newsletter.
13 September 2025

On Friday 18th July, the Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted foot patrols along Portishead High Street and distributed leaflets to all local businesses. These leaflets outlined some of the challenges we and our colleagues in the Desktop-Based Investigation Team (DBIT) face when progressing investigations — particularly the lack of formal reports, CCTV footage, and supporting witness statements.

Thanks to the information and evidence we have received so far, we have issued Community Protection Warnings to two individuals in the Portishead area. These are part of a wider toolkit being actively used across the Avon and Somerset policing area. For example, five Criminal Behaviour Orders were recently issued in Weston-super-Mare, and one in Bristol.

If your business would like to discuss the contents of the leaflet or
seek further advice, please get in touch.